Mass screening results in surge of Covid-19 cases in Sabah

 

More than 69% of the new cases reported in Sabah were from close-contact screenings.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah recorded another surge in Covid-19 infections with 526 cases in the past 24 hours following mass screenings at plantations statewide.

State local government and housing minister Masidi Manjun said 151 infections were detected during screenings organised by the Social Security Organisation (Socso), particularly at estate mills located on the east coast.

The highest number of cases was recorded at Ladang Baturong in Kunak with 73, followed by the Segamaha plantation and mill in Lahad Datu (43), Ladang Matamba, Lahad Datu (20) and Ladang GNG in Kinabatangan (15).

“They are all plantation workers,” said Masidi, who is the state’s spokesman on Covid-19.

Today’s figure was a sharp rise from yesterday’s 432 cases.

Masidi said 69.2% or 364 cases today were from close-contact screenings.

Cumulatively, he said Sabah now had 44,602 cases, with 2,849 patients still receiving treatment at hospitals or low-risk treatment centres.

The death toll remains at 302 with no new deaths recorded in the past 24 hours. - FMT